Analytic model for diffuse reflectivity of silicon nanowire mats.

Disordered silicon nanowires are diffuse optical reflectors, with reflectivity modified by the nanowire absorption. We present an analytical model which describes the reflectivity, absorption, and transmission of a nanowire mat, across a wide spectral range, and including substrate effects. The model provides the ability to predict the optical properties of other nanowire mat structures, including core/shell heterostructures.